Column spacer



. 1,627,026 May 1927- H, M. FORKER COLUMN SPACER Filed Aug. 4. 1926 Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES HARRY FORKER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

COLUMN SPACER.

Application filed August 4, 1926. Serial No. 127,142.

This invention relates to column spacers of the interchangeable type in which the column rules or slugs are separate and independent from the type slugs, and are placed between the type slugs, when these elements are inserted in the form for printing tabular matter and text pages of two or more columns each.

In setting up type for printing column or tabular matter in this mlnner, the column rules heretofore used have been merely flat strips of brass or other metalwhich are held between the adjacent type slugs merely by the friction between the elements. It therefore frequently happens during the printing operation that the column rules will work up above the printing surface of the adja cent type and cut through the paper when the impression is taken. On the other hand, it is sometimes desirable to merely provide a space instead of a line between adjacent columns of the tabular matter, and for this purpose brass .strips without any printing surface have been used heretofore as spacers between adjacent columns. These column slugs, however, also have a tendency to work up during the printing operation, and when the upper edge of the spacer is in line with the printing surface of the type it will be inked and will print on the paper when the impression is taken instead of providing a blank space as is desired. It is the purpose of the present invention to eliminate these defects.

It is an object of the invention to provide a column rule for printing lines between separate adjacent type slugs which will not work up and cut through the paper when the impression is taken.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a column slug which, when used as a spacing means for providing a blank space between adjacent columns of tabular matter, will not work upwardly and print on the paper when the impression is taken.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a printing form showing the column rules inserted between the adjacent type slugs;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the form shown in Figure 1;

of the type slugs. 13 are beveled at an angle of about 45 and Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a column rule which 18 provided with a printing surface;

Figure 4 is a perspective view .similar to Figure 3 showing the spacer used as a .col umn slug, and therefore having no printing surface; and J Figure 5 is a sectional view showing a column slug in detail as inserted between two adjacent separate type slugs. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the column spacer is designated in general by the reference character 10. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, this rule comprises a relatively thin, flat body portionll and a base portion 12 which is of greater th ckness than the body portion. The thickness of thebody portion 11 determines the space between the columns, and the rules can be made up in assorted thicknesses as desired, although six point and twelve point may suffice for ordinary use. The base portion includes two flanges 13, each projecting laterally and extending throughout the length of the body portion. As clearly shown in Flgure 2 the bottom surfaces of the column spacers are flush with the bottom surfaces Preferably the flanges so the surfaces joining the body portion and the lateral edges of the base are flat and preferably inclined at an angle of about 45 to the bottom. surface. As illustrated in Flgure 3 this column rule is provided with a printing surface 14 which is adapted to print a line to divide the columns of tabular matter. The printing surface may be formed to print single or double, dotted or wavy lines as desired.

The type slugs 15 with which the column rule is to be used .are formed with their lower corners beveled or relieved to receive the flange 13, preferably at an angle of substantially 45. Machine-cast type slugs may be used in this connection, as there is nothing to prevent the cast slugs from being withdrawn from the mold. When, therefore, the type is set up in the forms as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flange 13 on the base of the column rule will fit into the recess formed by the chamfered corners of the adjacent type slugs, and the column rule by this means will be prevented from working up andcutting into the paper when the impression is taken. It should be noted that the total depth of the column rule is equal to the total depth of the adjacent type slugs, so that when the flanged base of the column rule engages the chamfered corners of the adjacent type slugs, the printing surface of the column rule and the type slugs are type high.

lVhen the spacer is used as a column slug as shown in Figures 4: and 5, that is, when it is desired to provide merely a space instead of a printed line between the adjacent columns of tabular matter, the depth of the device is considerably less than the depth of the adjacent type slugs leaving a recess 17 as clearly shown in Figure 5. This difference in depth prevents any printing upon the blank space desired between the adjaoer-t columns. The engagement of the flanges of the base 12 with the beveled corners 16 of the adjacent type slugs positively prevents any possibility of this blank spacer working up and printing on the paper when the impression is taken.

In describing this invention, the term column spacer has been used to designate the device broadly, with or without a printing surface. When the spacer has a printing edge or surface, while it still has a spacing function, it is designated as a column rule, and when it is not provided with the printing edge, it is referred to as a column slug.

Although two forms of the invention have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these forms but includes modifications and changes which come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A column spacer for separating machine-cast type slugs in printing column matter, comprising a body portion having flat sides, and an integral base of greater thickness than the body portion, the spacer being of such height that its bottom surface is flush with the bottom surface of the type slugs when the form is made up.

2. A column spacer for separating type slugs in forms for printing column matter, comprising a body portion having parallel sides and at least one lateral flange at its base, the upper surface of said flange being inclined to the bottom surface, being of such height that its bottom surface is flush with the bottom surface of the base of the type slugs when the form is made u 3. A printing form comprising in combination, a plurality of machine-cast type slugs for printing matter in columns, and a member for separating the type slugs so as to form columns, said member having lat- .eral projections at its base, the lower corner of said type slugs being shaped to receive said projections, whereby the member is prevented from working up during the printing process.

4. A type slug having one lower end corner relieved to fit against a base flange of a column rule, whereby the slug may be assembled with a flanged column rule in a printing form, by vertical sliding against the side of the column rule.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

HARRY M. FOR-KER.

the spacer 

